During the height of last year’s COVID-19 shutdown, Carlsbad’s Packs for Hunger nonprofit was filling 340 packs of food for needy children each weekend. On top of that, with schools closed, many volunteers and businesses stepped up to deliver food directly to the homes of Carlsbad children. That number has gone down just a little bit this year, but not by much. On Friday, Packs for Hunger held its annual ‘Shindig’ fundraiser auction at the civic center. Money raised goes directly to providing the food
Special Thanks to Paul Cosand and Mariachi Unido, who provided the entertainment for the evening. Marachi members were Jolene Gonzales, Tammy Dominguez, Patsy Griffith, Barbara Blankenship and Cathy Queen. DJ Kool Arrow provided additional entertainment.
We had three different pasta options provided by Carlsbad Municipal Schools. Cal’s Shade Western provided the drinks. Shawna Calhoun and the Shade held a fundraiser for Packs for Hunger the previous week that raised nearly $4,000 for Packs for Hunger. The recent Potash Open raised $7,500 for the charity.
Intrepid Potash’s Robert Balridge and Eddy County Sheriff Mark Cage were two of the top bidders at the auction. “Little Digger Man” owner Frankie Davis did an outstanding job as the event’s auctioneer, pushing for good prices on donated items ranging from blankets and Avon bags to large televisions. David Beaty and the Albertsons A-Team assisted at the event, just like they do with the Packs for Hunger Program. Carol Worley and her team of Packs for Hunger volunteers did a great job coordinating everything, including the large pack of grandchildren who were dancing to the music. Thank you to everyone who made this year’s “Shindig” such a special event. Please continue to support Packs for Hunger and other outstanding local charities.
Friday was a busy day at the Civic Center. In the morning, the COVID-19 vaccination clinic provided vaccinations to 280 people. Beginning next week, the clinic will continue to offer vaccinations on Mondays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., but will no longer be open on Fridays. Moderna and Pfizer boosters and first doses, second doses and bosters were provided. Thank you again to our partners with the New Mexico Department of Health and Eddy County for making this clinic a success. Curative will also be conducting COVID-19 tests at the front of the building.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway